22nd Annual Paws Walk 2014 to be Held June 8th

22nd Annual Paws Walk 2014 to be Held June 8th

Stratham, NH – The New Hampshire SPCA is proud to announce its 22nd Annual Paws Walk for Homeless Animals will be held on Sunday, June 8th.  The event will take place at Stratham Hill Park in Stratham, NH.   Online Registration is now open at www.nhspca.org. 

As the largest walk of its kind in New Hampshire, Paws Walk brings people of all ages, together with their dogs, for one common purpose – to raise money for homeless pets.  Over 2,500 people were in attendance last year, raising thousands of dollars for the care of the animals sheltered here at the New Hampshire SPCA.  In addition, guests had an extraordinary variety of vendors to peruse, delicious food choices and great music all day.  The event runs from 10 am – 3pm, with the walk stepping off at Noon.

“Last year’s walk was a tremendous success,” said Sheila Ryan, Director of Development and Marketing at the New Hampshire SPCA. “The walk is a fun day with a very serious purpose.  The money raised by participants helps to pay for medical care, spay/neuter surgeries, rescues and so much more.  It is truly a lifesaving event.  We hope the community comes out again to raise funds, see some magnificent dogs, and possibly even fall in love with one of the adoptable dogs that will be at the walk.”  

Participating in Paws Walk 2014 is a great way to celebrate the human-animal bond while supporting the life-saving mission of the New Hampshire SPCA. Last year alone, the agency took in and rehomed  

more than 2,500 companion animals. Funds raised for this event will help provide food, safety, medical care, rehabilitation and a warm bed for all of them until they find their forever home.

With just over a month left before the walk, and constantly escalating costs of caring for the animals,  the New Hampshire SPCA encourages individuals and teams to ramp up their fundraising now.  The goal for this event is to raise $150,000, which will help the agency continue to provide services for pets and people in our community.

In addition to sheltering services, the New Hampshire SPCA has an award-winning humane education department, a devoted cruelty investigation department and a myriad of behavior and training classes for owners and their pets. The New Hampshire SPCA is an open admission, unlimited stay facility and has an innovative transfer program that has given dogs from around the country a second chance at finding a forever home and helps fill a need for wonderful pets for the people here in our community.  In addition, the New Hampshire SPCA is a Four-Star Charity as rated by Guidestar.com, their highest score and indicative of an organization fulfilling its mission with transparency and sound fiscal management.

Walkers are encouraged to walk as individuals, with or without a dog, or recruit a team of friends or colleagues.  It only takes five people to be a team.  Once registered, walkers collect pledges, both online or in person, from friends, family and co-workers to earn fantastic prizes. Walkers should pre-register at www.nhspca.org and begin raising money! 

“Paws Walk is a fun day for everyone, but first and foremost, it is our most important fundraising event of the year.  This year, we encourage each walker to set a stretch goal for their individual fundraising and try to raise at least $500.  It’s not that difficult in the world of social media and email and it will help the animals more than we can express.  In turn, we promise a day of fun for the whole family and the feeling of pride and satisfaction that only helping homeless animals can bring!” said Paws Walk organizer, Kelly Lemos, Special Events & Sponsorship Coordinator for the New Hampshire SPCA. 

Paws Walk has something for the whole family including activities for kids and dogs.  On hand throughout the day will be plenty of wonderful vendors with delicious food and wonderful items for pets and people!  Other highlights to include: DJ Ron Reid of Sounds Spectrum DJ’s , will be on hand to keep things lively, and the stars of the show will be the 12 or more adoptable dogs that will make an appearance on the ‘catwalk’ before the start of the walk.  You might come to Paws Walk to help save lives, and go home with a new best friend! 

Vendors and onsite registration is open at 10am on June 8th, and the walk begins at noon.  Walkers may choose either a 1.5 or 2 mile route. Afterwards, animal lovers can meet adoptable dogs, watch demonstrations, participate in fun activities with their dog and shop for pet-friendly goods and services from over 50 vendors and sponsors. For more information and to register, please visit www.nhspca.org.

About the New Hampshire SPCA

The mission of the New Hampshire SPCA is to save the lives of companion animals through rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption; to promote learning, eliminate animal cruelty and be a leader in advancing the highest standards of animal welfare. Adoption Center hours are from 11am – 4pm on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and closed on Wednesday.  For more information about the New Hampshire SPCA, please visit www.nhspca.org

Follow the New Hampshire SPCA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewHampshireSPCA

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